Jamestown High School Student Found With Handgun, District to Install Weapons Detectors

School administrators and the Jamestown High School Resource Officer discovered a loaded handgun inside an 18-year-old student's backpack after investigating a report of possible vaping in a school bathroom. The student, identified as Narade Gumbs Jr., was detained, removed from the building without further incident and taken into Jamestown Police Department custody, where he is being held pending arraignment.

Authorities say the discovery came after a school administrator advised Gumbs that his backpack would be searched. During that search the loaded handgun was located inside the backpack. Criminal charges have been filed; court records and police documents are expected to clarify exact statutory language, but the student faces counts of criminal possession of a weapon.

Jamestown Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kevin Whitaker addressed families on social media, acknowledging the seriousness of the incident and announcing an immediate change in campus security. "I can tell you that this incident is very impactful for me. I know that this information may be unsettling to our families and the community as well," Whitaker wrote. He emphasized that "student safety remains our absolute priority and out of an abundance of caution, we are taking additional and immediate steps to support a secure learning environment." Whitaker added that the student "will face the maximum disciplinary consequences consistent with our code of conduct" and thanked the Jamestown Police Department and additional officers for their response.

Beginning Feb. 2, Jamestown High School will implement the use of weapons detection systems for student entry, the district announced. District leaders have not yet released operational details about the detectors, including whether all entry points will be affected, what technology will be used, or how screening will be staffed and scheduled.

The incident highlights immediate safety concerns for students and staff as well as broader public health and community implications. Encounters involving weapons in school settings can cause acute stress among students, families, and educators and strain trust between families and institutions tasked with keeping young people safe. Mental health supports, transparent communication and equitable enforcement of disciplinary policies will be important to limit long-term harm, especially for students and families already vulnerable to criminal-justice involvement.

Local officials have said the case will proceed through the criminal justice system and that school disciplinary processes will follow the district code of conduct. Parents and caregivers should expect further updates from Jamestown Public Schools as administrators finalize weapons-detection protocols and as Jamestown Police Department releases charging details and court schedules.

What comes next: the school will begin weapons screening on Feb. 2, the criminal case will move toward arraignment, and district leaders must balance safety measures with students’ rights and the need for supports that address trauma and community trust.